New Member Added to Windsor Heights Fire Department

WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa -- The fire department in Windsor Heights just added a new member to the team.

Ember became part of the fire department's family last week. The 9-week-old Dalmatian will serve as the WHFD official mascot and will attend community events and be around the firehouse for tours.

"Traditionally Dalmatians were the heart of the fire station, they were in charge of keeping and tending to the horses in the olden days, so keeping with tradition and keeping with fire service we decided to go with a Dalmatian," says Windsor Heights Fire Chief Tim Kurth.

Kurth says Ember will also play a key role in boosting moral for his team when they're working long shifts.

“I don’t think you can come into a fire station and see a dog like this and not immediately feel better and be happy about what’s going on."

Ember will be attending a four-week training soon. She will live at the firehouse full time and will continue her training with the six full time firefighters at the department.